Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1973
Preservation Act 1 was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
SF 8392-A-1E A3 IRunout side A etched, variant 1
SF 8392-B-1E A3 CRunout side B etched, variant 1
SF 8392-A-1E A3 URunout side A etched, variant 2
SF 8392-B-1E A5 CRunout side B etched, variant 2
SF 8392-A-1E A3 AQRunout side A
SF 8392-B 1E A4IRunout side B
SF 8392 ALabel side A
SF 8392 BLabel side B
LPL-1-5002-A-4S HSide A etched except H stamped
LPL-1-5002-B-4S HSide B etched except H stamped
LPL1-5002ASide A label
LPL1-5002-BSide B label
LPL 1-5002-A-1 STERLING RL ISide A runout, var 1
LPL 1-5002-B-1 STERLING RL ISide B runout, var 1
LPL 1-5002-A-1 STERLING RL I A3Side A runout, var 2
LPL 1-5002-B-1 STERLING RL I A3Side B runout, var 2
℗ 1973 SF-8392-A Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
℗ 1973 SF-8392-B Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
8392-ALabel side A
8392-BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | RCA Victor LPL1-5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP 10 417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP 10 417First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LPL1-5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | RCA LPL1-5002 / RCA Victor SF 8392First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | RCA Victor LPL1-5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | RCA Victor LPL1-5002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | RCA SF 8392 / RCA SF8392First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | RCA Victor LPL1-5002LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | RCA Victor LSP 10 417 / RCA Victor YEPL1 268LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | RCA RCA-6184 / RCA LPL1-5002LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | RCA RCA-6184 / RCA LPL1-5002LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Spain | RCA Victor LPL1-9098LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | RCA Victor LPL1-9098LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | RCA Victor LPL1-5002LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Pickwick ACL-7072 / Camden ACL-7072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Pickwick ACL-7072 / Camden ACL-7072LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Camden CL-50021LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-15002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Velvel VEL-LP-79830LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | BMG BMGCAT809LP / BMG 4050538897913LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Pickwick ACL-7072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Preservation Act 1 are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA SF 8392, released December 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SF 8392, LPL1-5002, LSP 10 417) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SF 8392-A-1E A3 I and SF 8392-B-1E A3 C. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
